The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Why ‘Khichdi scam’ is again simmering in Maharashtra
THE ALLEGED Khichdi scam has continued to roil Maharashtra politics, with expelled Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam raking up the row and targeting the Shiv Sena (UBT) after the Uddhav Thackeray-led party announced Amol Kirtikar as its candidate for the Mumbai North West seat for the Lok Sabha polls.
Kirtikar was allegedly involved in the Khichdi scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 27 summoned him for questioning in connection with the case barely an hour after he was named as an Sena (UBT) candidate. He was summoned again on March 29.
An aspirant for the Congress's ticket from Mumbai North West, Nirupam was upset with the party for letting its ally Uddhav Se na claim these at. this finally led to his exit from the Congress. Nirupam has accused Kirtikar of being involved in the scam.
On his part, Kirtikar has accused the ED of working on political orders to target him.
What is the scam?
The Khichdi scam involves alleged irregularities in contracts allotted to companies by thebrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the preparation and distribution of khichdi to migrant workers, who were stuck in Mumbai amid the c ovid -19 lock down in 2020.
After the fall of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government – led by Uddhav Thackeray – in June 2022 following the split in the Shiv Sena, the subsequent Mahayuti regime – comprising the Eknath Shindeled Sena faction and BJP, and later the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction – launched a host of inquiries into the functioning of the BMC, which led to the unearthing of the alleged scam.
In September 2023, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police registered an FIR against several persons including Sujit Patkar, an aide of Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Other accused included sun ila li as Bala Kadam, Sahyadri Refreshments’ Rajeev Salunkhe along with employees and partners of Force One Multi Services ands ne ha caterers. the following month, the ED also registered a case of money laundering in connection with the alleged scam.
Political ramifications
The Shinde Sena has been using the scam to target the Sena (UBT), especially those close to W or li ml a a ad it ya thackeray and other office-bearers of his party’s
Yuva Sena. The Shinde Sena has also launched a campaign among North Indians ahead of the elections, claiming the alleged scam hurt migrant workers.
Reacting to Nirupam’s allegations, Sanjay Raut on March 27 had said, “After we announced Kirtikar’s candidature for the
Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, the ED slapped a summons on him. it is a pressure tactic. they are trying to frighten us but we will not get scared. ki rtikarw ill remain our candidate .”
Why is Kirtikar in focus?
Kirtikar’s name reportedly surfaced during questioning of various suspect sand witnesses in the alleged scam. He was questioned for about six hours by the EOW officials last year.
Heist he son of mumbai north West’ s sitting mpg ajanank ir tik ar, who pledged allegiance to the Shinde faction following the split in the Sena.
What action has ED taken?
In january, a adi ty a’ s close aide and Yuva Sena worker Suraj Chavan was arrested by the ED in connection with the case. The ED alleged Chavan used his “political connections” to help the firms securethek hi ch di contracts despite not meeting the eligibility criteria.
ED sources alleged that to secure the contracts, lakhs of rupee s were paid by the firms, which claim it was a consultancy fee.
The ED accused Chavan of using the Rs 1.35 crore from the scam to purchase a flat and agricultural land, investing in a dairy business, and paying off personal loans. The agency’s chargesheet includes the statement of a BMC official who claimed that Chavan requested her to award the contract to one of the accused firms.
The agency also claims the Bmc paid rs 5.93 cr ore t os a hy adri Refreshments and rs 8.64 cr ore to Force One Multi Services, which allegedly made illegal gains by sub contracting the works. theed said the proceeds of the crime amounted to Rs 6.5 crore.
The ED has also provisionally attached Chavan’s immovable properties worth Rs 88.5 lakh.
Chavan has denied all allegations and said the money was a part of salary and personal loans given to him by one of the firms.